From Jobless Months to Country Director: Zahid Hussain Jalbani

By Qaseem ul Hassan, Founder of Nojwan

When you meet Zahid Hussain Jalbani today, you see a confident humanitarian leader serving as Country Director for Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) in Iraq, guiding complex operations in one of the world’s most challenging humanitarian landscapes. What you do not see at first glance is the six-month stretch of unemployment, the quiet struggle, and the three words that carried him forward: commitment, consistency, and passion.

In this Nojwan feature, I sat down with Zahid to trace his journey from jobless to country director months to leading a major international NGO’s country office and to ask what Pakistani youth can learn from his story.

Early life and choosing a path

Zahid’s story begins in Sindh, where education was not just a formality, but a lifeline and a ladder. After completing his MBA from the University of Sindh, Jamshoro, he knew he did not want a conventional corporate path. He wanted his work to mean something deeper.

“I always felt drawn to people in difficult situations,” he recalls. “The idea that my effort could bring even a small improvement to their lives that was powerful for me.”

Instead of chasing the most lucrative job, Zahid chose the humanitarian and development sector a field that demands emotional resilience, patience, and a strong sense of purpose. For him, working with vulnerable communities was never just a job description; it was a calling.

Entering the humanitarian world

When I asked Zahid why he stayed in this demanding line of work for over two decades, his answer was simple but strong:

“Working for the most vulnerable gives me a sense of accomplishment that nothing else can replace.”

That sense of impact became his compass. Whether in Pakistan, Sudan, Lebanon, or now Iraq, each role gave him a chance to turn compassion into concrete change projects that put food on tables, restored livelihoods, and gave families hope in the middle of crisis.

He never saw himself as just an employee of an organization. He saw himself as a bridge between those who wanted to help and those who desperately needed that help.

The skills that changed everything

Many young people obsess over technical skills and degrees. Zahid values those too, but when he looks back, two specific skills stand out as game changers in his journey: public speaking and presentation.

“My real journey started when I learned how to speak confidently in front of people,” he says.

Being able to clearly explain a vision, represent communities with dignity, and speak with confidence in front of donors, colleagues, and community members opened doors that a CV alone could not. Over time, he refined his presentation skills structuring ideas, telling stories through data, and making complex issues understandable.

These abilities made him visible. They helped him gain trust, secure support for projects, and lead multicultural teams across different countries. In a sector where relationships and clarity matter, his voice became one of his most powerful tools.

The lowest point: six months without a job
Behind

Behind every impressive title is a season of struggle. For Zahid, that season lasted six long months. There was a time when he had no job—applications sent, interviews given, yet no offer in hand. The uncertainty was heavy. Financial pressure grew, and like many young professionals, he questioned himself: Is something wrong with me? Did I make a mistake with my career choices?

But he made one crucial decision: he refused to surrender.

“Those six months taught me about the real ups and downs of life,” he reflects. “I learned patience, faith, and resilience.”

Instead of giving up, he used that time to keep learning, improving, and applying. That difficult stretch did not close doors—it prepared him to walk through bigger ones later, with more strength and maturity.

Rising to Country Director

Fast-forward to today: Zahid leads Islamic Relief Worldwide’s operations in Iraq as Country Director. His role goes far beyond a title on a business card. He is responsible for overall country strategy, programme implementation, donor engagement, and leading teams who work in one of the most complex humanitarian environments in the Middle East.islamic-relief+2

Yet when I asked him what he enjoys most, he did not mention strategy documents or high-level meetings.

“My favourite part is networking, coaching, and mentoring,” he says with a smile.

He loves building relationships—with communities, partners, and donors—and he finds deep satisfaction in coaching younger colleagues, helping them grow from uncertain beginners to confident professionals. For Zahid, success is not only reaching a high position; it is using that position to lift others.

Mindset and mentorship: the turning points

When we talked about the real “secret” behind his journey, Zahid did not list a long set of achievements. Instead, he came back to three simple words:

“Commitment, consistency, and passion.”

He committed to his field even when it was tough. He stayed consistent in his efforts, showing up again and again, even when results were slow. And he kept his passion alive—reminding himself why he started.

At the same time, he is very clear that he did not walk this path alone. A mentor played an important role in his growth.

“My mentor helped me set clear targets for my career,” he explains. “He guided me to move with focus and discipline instead of just drifting.”

This combination—strong internal mindset plus wise external guidance—helped him move from local roles to international leadership.

Looking ahead: milestones and the next level

Zahid feels he has already achieved his first major professional milestone by becoming a Country Director in the humanitarian world. But he does not see this as the finish line.

“I consider this role a platform,” he shares. “From here, I want to reach the next level—not just in position, but in impact.”

He wants to continue shaping programmes that are not only about emergency response, but also about long-term resilience, dignity, and opportunity for vulnerable communities in Iraq and beyond.

In other words, his story is still being written.

His message for Pakistani youth

At Nojwan, our mission is to spotlight journeys that can speak directly to the hearts of young Pakistanis. So I asked Zahid one final, direct question: What would you say to the youth of Pakistan who are facing rejection, unemployment, or self-doubt?

He did not hesitate.

“Commitment, consistency and passion,” he repeated.

Then he broke it down into practical advice:

• Set clear, realistic career targets instead of vague wishes.
• Show up every single day—study, apply, volunteer, learn—especially when results are slow.
• Refuse to let a temporary setback, like a few months of unemployment, define your long-term story.

His own life is proof. From six months without a job to leading a major international NGO’s operations in Iraq, Zahid Hussain Jalbani’s journey shows that your toughest season can become the most powerful chapter of your success story—if you endure it with commitment, consistency, and passion.

Connect with Zahid

If you’re a young Pakistani interested in humanitarian and development work, Zahid is open to connecting and guiding where he can. You can reach him here: